Controlled Thermonuclear Energy

John A. Miller

In the search for an ideal energy source there are many possibilities for the near and distant future. Controlled thermonuclear energy is one of them. This would use the process of nuclear fusion to generate power. This paper attempts to be an introduction to the theory, developments, and problems involved in controlling nuclear fusion.

Contents

  1. The Future of Energy
  2. The Fusion Reaction
  3. Reaction Requirements
  4. Magnetic Confinement
  5. Plasma Instability and Heating
  6. The Theta Pinch and Magnetic Mirror
  7. The Tokamak
  8. Inertial Confinement
  9. Laser Fusion
  10. Magnetic Fusion Reactor
  11. Laser Fusion Reactor
  12. Conclusions
  13. Footnotes
  14. Bibliography